GAO researchers in their report detail the stunning costs of motorcycle fatalities on society. In 2010 alone, they estimated that motorcycle deaths cost $16 billion nationwide. They estimated that each individual motorcycle fatality cost about $1.2 million.

I'm curious about the methodology of that figure and also how it would relate to the cost of a car death.

... arise from relaxation of helmet laws. Additionally, the costs are astronomic compared to the "mere" cost of deaths for those who survive long periods as functional vegetables because of brain injuries.